Chapter 370: Be Cautious in All Matters
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Mingzhu asked in surprise, “Are there more of those cups? Wasn’t it said to be left by the late emperor for Linan Wang?”
Sang Shen laughed, “In the palace, items like these are never just one. Usually, there are two or three sets in reserve.” She explained in a lowered voice, “This is also a form of consideration among the servants. Otherwise, if someone accidentally breaks or loses it, and it’s demanded by someone above, everyone will be in trouble. Even the tribute bearers are afraid of the consequences if something goes wrong on the way.”
“Oh, I see.” Mingzhu had never known about these things before, but her family would also buy two sets of porcelainware just in case, to avoid ruining a whole set if one piece broke. It made sense, and it was similar.
Sang Shen asked, “Does Wangfei want it? If so, I’ll go find it for you.”
In the past, Mingzhu would have readily agreed, but now, she had just had a falling out with the Great Empress Dowager. She was afraid the Great Empress Dowager would not be pleased, so she quickly waved her hand and refused. Sang Shen understood her concern and reassured her, “It’s alright. The Great Empress Dowager dotes on Wangfei the most, so she wouldn’t bear to part with a set of cups like this. I’ll find it for you and bring it to you at a suitable time.”
Mingzhu returned to her seat and quietly showed her hand to Yuwen Chu, asking, “Is it clean?”
Yuwen Chu smiled slightly. “Yes, it’s clean.”
A palace attendant came to summon them, and the couple stood up to leave. As they walked out, they saw Mu Gugu leading Yuwen Fu out of the main hall. Yuwen Fu was crying as they walked, his eyes swollen like peaches. Mu Gugu was quietly comforting him, her expression serious.
Mingzhu instinctively wanted to go forward and ask what happened, but Yuwen Chu immediately grabbed her sleeve and whispered, “Don’t.”
Mingzhu immediately deflated. Right, she couldn’t even ensure her own safety, let alone do anything about it now. Even asking might not yield any useful information.
Yuwen Chu sensed her low spirits and quietly held her hand to comfort her. Mingzhu brightened up and smiled at him.
Liao Guang had already left, and the Great Empress Dowager was sitting behind her desk, reviewing memorials. When she saw them enter, she smiled, “You’re here.”
Mingzhu respectfully followed Yuwen Chu in greeting the Great Empress Dowager. The Great Empress Dowager said lightly, “You don’t need to be so formal with family. Please sit.” Then she instructed Liang Youyi, “It’s unusually cold today. Have them bring two cups of hot tea for Ying Wang and Ying Wangfei.”
Liang Youyi bowed and quietly withdrew.
Mingzhu gathered her emotions and was about to tell the Great Empress Dowager about her pregnancy, but Yuwen Chu beat her to it. “I’m here to share the good news with Royal Mother. Mingzhu was confirmed pregnant yesterday.”
The Great Empress Dowager’s eyebrows raised suddenly, then settled back down. She smiled faintly and looked at Mingzhu quietly for a while before saying, “So, the things I had someone deliver yesterday came in handy. That’s good.”
Mingzhu had never heard the Great Empress Dowager speak to her with such meaningful words before. For a moment, she felt a heavy stone pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She couldn’t help but tear up and said softly to the Great Empress Dowager, “I never expected to be so lucky. When you asked me before, I thought my period had come because I saw some spots of blood, but after seeing a doctor, they said it might be a pregnancy and advised me to be careful. I didn’t dare say anything until it was confirmed yesterday. Steward Liang came and I was going to inform you, but I wanted to tell you in person and share the joy with you.”
Yuwen Chu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. At this point, the last thing the Great Empress Dowager probably wanted to hear was that Mingzhu was pregnant. Once suspicion arose, explanations like this would likely be seen as excuses. But Mingzhu, this fool, didn’t understand any of this. However, he couldn’t remind her of these things; she had to realize it on her own.
Mingzhu, however, didn’t care about all this. She just wanted the Great Empress Dowager not to be angry with her. She looked at the Great Empress Dowager with sincere and stubborn eyes.
The Great Empress Dowager felt a thousand grievances and a thousand helplessness in her heart. If this person wasn’t Mingzhu, if Mingzhu wasn’t her beloved niece, then she wouldn’t have to endure this torment. She could just take action and be done with it. But this person happened to be Mingzhu. Although such a Mingzhu made it hard for one to harden their heart, she still turned her face away, feeling somewhat weary as she said, “When a woman marries, she will always have to face this hurdle. It’s a good thing.”
But she didn’t offer her congratulations to Mingzhu.
Disappointed, Mingzhu lowered her eyes, feeling the Great Empress Dowager’s displeasure.
Liang Youyi brought the hot tea and quietly left. The Great Empress Dowager raised the teacup to her lips and said, “Your Royal Mother doesn’t know yet, does she? Go tell her and make her happy.”
It was time for them to leave.
Mingzhu felt both wronged and angry. If there was a misunderstanding, she had come to explain it, but if she wasn’t listened to and was sent away, what was she supposed to do? Did they want her to not have this child?
Yuwen Chu was afraid she would cause a scene and quickly pulled her away from the Great Empress Dowager, bidding her farewell, “Royal Mother is busy, so we’ll take our leave first.”
Mingzhu broke free from his hand, took a deep breath, and whispered, “Your Highness, please go ahead. I have something to tell the Great Empress Dowager.”
Yuwen Chu had no choice but to silently leave.
The Great Empress Dowager leaned back in her chair, smiling faintly. “What’s wrong? Upset?”
Mingzhu said grievously, “Auntie, why don’t you believe me? Do you think I would deliberately deceive or hide things from you?”
She didn’t ask outright, but both she and the Great Empress Dowager knew what she was asking.
The Great Empress Dowager suppressed her smile and wearily said, “It’s nothing, just life.”
“Auntie, I…” Mingzhu had a lot to say to the Great Empress Dowager. Regardless of who became emperor in the end, she would do her best to treat the Great Empress Dowager kindly and serve her until her old age. Her children would also respect and serve the Great Empress Dowager with her.
The Great Empress Dowager raised her hand to stop Mingzhu’s words and whispered, “Don’t say anymore. I’m very tired. I know what you want to say. Everyone has their own helplessness, including Auntie. Auntie’s thoughts are different from yours. Don’t force me. Congratulations, and be cautious in all matters.”
Mingzhu couldn’t help it, and two big tears fell from her eyes.
Liang Youyi approached and bowed, “Ying Wangfei, let me escort you out.”
The Great Empress Dowager closed her eyes and said nothing more.
Mingzhu lowered her eyes and slowly walked out. Was it true that there were no family ties in the royal family? Mu Gugu hurried over, whispering softly, “Don’t overthink it. Her Majesty has been busy and in a bad mood these past few days. She’ll come around in a couple of days.”
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